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Falcons To Pick Up Drake London’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Sam Robinson

A year after exercising Kyle Pitts‘ fifth-year option, the Falcons will keep their other pass-catching pillar from entering a contract year. The team is picking up Drake London‘s 2026 option, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This will lock London into a $16.82MM guarantee for next year. London is eligible for the third-tier wide receiver option, having been a regular in Atlanta but not a Pro Bowler. The former No. 8 overall pick, however, is now an essential piece to the organization’s aim to developing Michael Penix Jr. into a franchise quarterback.

[RELATED: Falcons Were Prepared To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 15]

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decide on options for 2022 first-round picks. Considering the team’s Pitts decision, London never seemed a candidate to see his option declined. Kirk Cousins, with a late-season assist from Penix, helped London post his first 1,000-yard season. He cruised past that benchmark, accumulating 1,271 yards in his third season. This marked a boost from London’s first two years, when he was tethered to Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder as his primary QBs.

Part of Terry Fontenot‘s annual commitment to restock the Falcons’ skill positions with top-10 picks, London was the second of those selections. After taking Pitts fourth overall, Fontenot chose London eighth out of USC in 2022. The 6-foot-4 target quickly replaced Calvin Ridley as the Falcons’ No. 1 receiver, arriving as the team’s previous top target had incurred a gambling suspension months before the 2022 draft. London, however, was tied to two run-oriented offenses.

That led to the Falcons’ scrutinized two-QB offseason project last year. While Cousins no longer factors into the Falcons’ plans — barring a season in which the high-priced passer actually sits behind Penix — London will be tasked with helping the 2024 No. 8 overall pick take steps forward in his first full starter season. This is not exactly new territory, as London paired with Ridder after the Falcons anointed the 2022 third-round pick as their 2023 starter — after four 2022 starts. Penix showed more promise by comparison in his late-season cameo, pointing London’s arrow up regarding extension value.

London totaled 866 receiving yards as a rookie in a Falcons offense that led the league in rushing attempts; he added 905 in 2023. After scoring six combined touchdowns during his first two seasons, London broke through for nine last year. That season upped London’s extension price, as an exploding receiver market will help his cause there. The league now has eight $30MM-per-year receivers, and with the cap rising by at least $20MM over the past two years, London — who will not turn 24 until July — can make a clear case he deserves to be in that group. Building on last season to accelerate Penix’s development would cement that case.

The Falcons paid Julio Jones before his fifth-year option season, authorizing the since-retired receiver’s first extension just before the 2015 season. While the team bought time by picking up London’s option, his price would stand to rise with another 1,000-yard season. The Falcons can enter extension talks with London this offseason, and it will be interesting to see if anything serious develops. While extending first-round receivers a year early simply did not occur in the option era prior to last year, the Eagles (DeVonta Smith) and Dolphins (Jaylen Waddle) did so. The Falcons would probably be wise to strongly consider making an early strike. No known talks have occurred just yet.

Jaguars To Decline LB Devin Lloyd’s Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:50am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars will continue the string of teams declining fifth-year options on off-ball linebackers. As the NFL’s option formula still groups all linebackers together, Devin Lloyd will become the latest ILB to see his not exercised.

Lloyd is now in a contract year, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler confirms. He would have been due a fully guaranteed $14.75MM had the Jaguars’ new regime signed off on his 2026 option. Lloyd is extension-eligible, so he could factor into the Jags’ long-term plans. It would also make sense if the team’s James Gladstone-Liam Coen duo wanted to see how he fit into a new defensive scheme.

[RELATED: 2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

No team has exercised a fifth-year option for an off-ball LB since the Buccaneers picked up Devin White‘s in 2022. That decision did not turn out well, as the All-Pro’s value cratered soon after. Over the past three offseasons, Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray, Isaiah Simmons, Jordyn Brooks and Jamin Davis had seen their options declined. The Cardinals passed on Zaven Collins‘, despite moving him to the edge, and it should be expected the Packers will decline Quay Walker‘s ($14.75MM) by Thursday’s deadline.

This wrinkle reminds of the guard market, as the price of franchise-tagging a player at that position is complicated due to all O-linemen being grouped together under this formula as well. Guards and ILBs have easier paths to free agency as a result, and Lloyd could end up as a key piece on next year’s market because of the Jags’ Wednesday decision.

The Jags did pick up Travon Walker‘s fifth-year option, but the former No. 1 overall pick serves as an edge player. Lloyd has been a locked-in starter since his rookie year, but Trent Baalke‘s second pick since the Urban Meyer firing moved him to the top of the franchise’s personnel pyramid could use a quality contract year to display his value to both the Jags and other teams. Jacksonville traded up from No. 33 (via Tampa Bay) to acquire Lloyd at No. 27 overall. He has been a consistent producer despite the Jaguars continuing to change defensive coordinators.

Lloyd, 26, has missed just three career games. He has made at least 113 tackles in each of his three seasons, working as a regular under Mike Caldwell and Ryan Nielsen. After making just two tackles for loss during his first two seasons combined, Lloyd — a former 27 overall pick out of Utah — made seven last season. The Jags hired Anthony Campanile to run their defense this year. Lloyd will undoubtedly be a key piece. Pro Football Focus has graded Lloyd as a top-15 linebacker in each of the past two seasons.

That status becomes more impressive when factoring in the organizational turnover in that span. Doug Pederson fired Caldwell after the 2023 season, and Nielsen again became a one-and-done DC (as he had in Atlanta) thanks to a head coach being fired a year later. Lloyd will attempt to prove himself valuable in Campanile’s defense this season.

Eagles To Exercise DT Jordan Davis’ Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:10am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles plan to keep their all-Georgia defensive tackle duo together beyond 2025. They will pick up Jordan Davis‘ fifth-year option, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, ensuring he and Jalen Carter will remain under contract through 2026.

Davis has proven to be an important piece for the Eagles, though his playing time will make this an affordable option to exercise. Because the nose tackle has yet to play 50% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in a season, he will be eligible for the lowest of the four option prices at the position. Philadelphia will have Davis on a fully guaranteed $12.94MM in 2026.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decline on fifth-year options tied to the 2022 first-round class. Davis represented the first member of the Georgia products to arrive on Philly’s defense, coming in as the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. Nakobe Dean followed in that year’s third round, while Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo were 2023 draftees.

With Milton Williams departing for a monster Patriots payday in free agency, the Eagles will lean into their Georgia connection inside. Davis, however, has been a regular starter in Philly. He has started every Eagles game over the past two seasons, not missing any time since a short IR stint during his rookie season.

Although Carter has revealed himself to be a more impactful player, Davis’ presence helps his ex-Bulldogs teammate disrupt offensive game plans. Davis has only 3.5 career sacks and six tackles for loss. But his imposing presence frees up his D-line mates, most recently evidenced by Philly smothering Kansas City’s offense in Super Bowl LIX.

The Eagles only used Davis on 388 defensive snaps last season, even as Fletcher Cox announced his retirement, but his starter status has not been in question. Davis finished eighth in run stop win rate during the 2023 season, and he helped Vic Fangio‘s defense rebound as the team returned to a Super Bowl the following year. Davis, 25, was a central figure in an Eagles unit that led the NFL in yards allowed and ranked second in scoring.

A stunning Davis 40-yard dash performance at the 2022 Combine crystalized his value as a mid-first-round pick. Despite weighing 340 pounds, he blazed to a 4.78-second 40. The Eagles traded up two spots (via the Texans) to select Davis at 13. Howie Roseman‘s team had come into the draft with three first-round picks that year, acquiring one via the Dolphins’ DeVonta Smith trade-up maneuver and the other from the Colts for Carson Wentz. The pick obtained in the Smith swap went to Davis, and Roseman sent the No. 18 pick to the Titans for A.J. Brown. These moves came shortly after the Eagles sent the Saints the No. 19 pick; the first-rounder acquired in that deal went to Carter a year later.

Davis will not command an extension in the Carter range, but he has made an early case to be locked up long term. The Eagles have been proactive with deals along their lines, so it would not surprise to see the team enter extension talks with Davis’ camp this offseason. Carter does not become extension-eligible until next year.

49ers, George Kittle Agree To Extension

April 29th, 2025 at 11:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

Extension talks with George Kittle have produced an agreement. The All-Pro tight end announced during an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he has signed a new deal.

This will be a four-year pact, per Kittle. The deal is worth $76.4MM in total and includes $40MM in guarantees. The latter figure consists of $35MM locked in at signing along with $5MM in guarantees covering the 2027 campaign. 2025 had represented the final year of Kittle’s contract, but he is now on the books through 2029; his scheduled cap charge for the coming year ($22.03MM) will no doubt be lowered as a result of the agreement.

This deal carries an annual average value of $19.1MM, surpassing the AAV of Trey McBride‘s recent Cardinals extension. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cautions, though, that the final year of the contract contains an inflated figure to push that mark from $18MM to its record-breaking point. Kittle had been attached to a $15MM-per-year pact, but his future has now been secured by means of another lucrative 49ers commitment on the offensive side of the ball.

Kittle surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career in 2024, and his eight touchdowns marked the second-highest total in a single season for him to date. That production helped his leverage in contract talks, and prior to the draft it was reported team and player were far apart on terms. Originally, the 31-year-old was absent from the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Kittle did attend on Friday, though, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes negotiations gained steam from that point on.

A report stating the former fifth-rounder was aiming to become the league’s highest-paid tight end – with that being the reason for his early absence – drew a public rebuttal from the six-time Pro Bowler himself. Nonetheless, Kittle is now atop the position’s financial pecking order as he looks to remain a mainstay in the pass and run games for San Francisco. The team’s list of remaining extensions now includes quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are in attendance for the start of offseason work.

The 49ers made 11 selections in this year’s draft, tied for the most in the NFL. None of those picks were used on a tight end, an indication the team would continue relying on Kittle (along with free agent addition Luke Farrell) for 2025 and beyond. San Francisco’s season did not go according to plan last year as the team dealt with a slew of injuries at key positions. Kittle continued a run of making at least 14 appearances which dates back to 2021, though, and the 49ers will be counting on that stretch of availability extending deep into his career.

As San Francisco prepares for a period with Purdy attached to one of the league’s most lucrative deals, the team also has big-ticket commitments in place with Kittle, wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. If that nucleus is to guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl, Kittle will no doubt continue operating as a central figure in the team’s success.

Vikings, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Agree On Extension

April 29th, 2025 at 11:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andrew Van Ginkel impressed upon reuniting with Brian Flores, enjoying a productive season as a pass rusher to help the Vikings finish the season as a top-five defense. The team will reward the former Dolphins defender for his work.

The Vikings are giving Van Ginkel a one-year, $23MM extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal comes nearly fully guaranteed, with $22.4MM being locked in. Minnesota now has Van Ginkel signed through 2026. This will bring a significant bump for Van Ginkel, who was due a $10.78MM 2025 base salary that featured $4MM guaranteed.

Coming up earlier this offseason as an extension candidate, Van Ginkel drew interest from the Rams and Eagles last year. He has shown himself to be a viable starter on the edge — after previously working as a backup.

Reinserted into Miami’s starting lineup as a pass rusher due to Jaelan Phillips‘ 2023 injury, Van Ginkel upped his free agency stock in the weeks that followed. He signed a two-year, $20MM Vikings deal in 2024. That contract was to void if no extension occurred before the start of the 2026 league year. The Vikings have checked off that piece of business Tuesday.

Van Ginkel, 29, built on his 2023 pass-rushing production by registering 11.5 sacks last season. The former Dolphins fifth-rounder, who arrived during Flores’ first offseason in charge, accumulated an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits last season. Van Ginkel had previously never posted 10 TFLs in a season. In addition to his sack production, Van Ginkel also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in his Vikings debut. He now has three pick-sixes in two years.

Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick in 2024. While most assumed it was to become key ammo in the franchise’s quest to select a quarterback, the Vikings — after seeing the Patriots decline their trade-up offer for Drake Maye — then traded up from that spot (via the Jaguars) to take edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. Despite the lofty investment, Turner played behind Van Ginkel and big-ticket free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. This extension certainly looks like that setup will continue in 2025.

This one-year bump resembles the Bengals’ 2023 move for Trey Hendrickson, though it comes after just one Van Ginkel season. Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21MM extension in 2023, doing so after he had outplayed his previous deal during his first two Bengals seasons. Van Ginkel’s profile does not check in on Hendrickson’s level, minimizing the chance he and the Vikings will later be at odds. Instead, a former Day 3 draftee collected a key payment during an offseason in which the Vikings both moved on from Sam Darnold and saw Kirk Cousins‘ $28.5MM dead money hit come off the books.

The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy signed through 2027, affording them opportunities to make payments previously unrealistic due to Cousins’ six-year tenure (and seven-year run on the payroll). They will bet on Van Ginkel, who has scheme familiarity but a thin record of consistent pass-rushing production. Also seeing early-career time as an off-ball linebacker, Van Ginkel had previously topped out at six sacks in a season (2023). But he has settled as an edge presence.

The Vikings, who lost Patrick Jones in free agency, will continue to send a Greenard-Van Ginkel-Turner pass rush at opponents, with this contract ensuring all three are signed for at least two more seasons.

Rams Announce 17 UDFA Signings

April 29th, 2025 at 10:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Los Angeles didn’t have many draft picks, checking in with only six drafted rookies after trading out of the first round, so they’ve added a large contingent of undrafted players to form a 23-man rookie class. Here are the 17 UDFA signings:

The biggest of these additions probably come on the offensive line with Lampkin and Wedig. After starting three seasons at Coastal Carolina (two at left guard and one at center), Lampkin transferred to Chapel Hill. In his first season with the Tar Heels, he started eight games at right guard, two at left guard, and one at center before starting 12 games at right guard in 2024 with first-team All-ACC honors. His versatility gives him value at multiple interior positions for the Rams, but their listing him at center likely means they see the most value for him there.

Wedig was another transfer, earning the starting right tackle job at Indiana after spending four years at Wisconsin. He found some starting time with the Badgers in his redshirt sophomore season, starting five games at right tackle, two at right guard, and one at left guard, but he lost first-team duties the following year. He didn’t earn any accolades as a Hoosier, but he attended the East-West Shrine Bowl where he stood out and likely earned himself this NFL opportunity.

On defense, Dolac continues to prove he belongs despite the value that is assigned to him. Dolac walked on as a freshman at Buffalo, playing minimal time. He earned a scholarship as a sophomore starting two games and notching 1.5 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss. He started all 13 games in 2022, totaling 147 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, before missing eight games with a shoulder injury the following year. He returned for a fifth season (granted due to COVID-19) and started all 13 games once again, showing up all over the field and stat sheet with 168 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, and five interceptions — all career highs. Once again, he’ll come into a new situation itching to prove he belongs in Los Angeles.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/25

April 29th, 2025 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Received roster exemption (international player): WR Louis Rees-Zammit

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

A fifth-round pick out of BYU, Hall was part of a three-quarterback solutions to a season-ending Kirk Cousins injury in 2023. Alongside Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs, Hall started two of three game appearances for Minnesota as a rookie, only attempting 20 passes in that time. After trading for Sam Howell to back up J.J. McCarthy, in addition to retaining Brett Rypien and signing undrafted Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer, Hall became the odd man out.

Seahawks To Re-Sign DT Johnathan Hankins

April 29th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the NFL shortly after his 21st birthday has helped Johnathan Hankins enjoy a long career. The Seahawks will give the veteran defensive tackle a chance at a 13th season.

The team is re-signing Hankins, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Hankins, now 33, played in all 17 Seattle games last season and worked as a part-time starter. The Seahawks are Hankins’ fifth team, but he has a connection stemming from stop No. 4.

Seattle hired Aden Durde as DC last year, and the team brought in one of his former charges from Dallas. Previously the Cowboys’ D-line coach, Durde mentored Hankins from 2022-23. That partnership continued in Seattle last year, as the Seahawks used the big-bodied defender as an eight-game starter. Hankins did not miss a game during his first Seahawks season.

This will reequip the Seahawks with a true nose tackle. The team has Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams up front, but Hankins will be back as a complementary piece who will help allow that pass-rushing trio better opportunities. Hankins played 35% of Seattle’s defensive snaps last season, logging 390.

Originally a Giants second-round pick in 2013, Hankins made his way into the team’s then-Tom Coughlin-led team’s starting lineup by Year 2. Helping the team to the playoffs in 2016, the 325-pound NT scored a three-year, $27MM commitment from the Colts. Indianapolis, however, cut bait on that deal after one season. The NFL then collectively viewed Hankins as a lower-value player, though he has continued to land gigs.

The Raiders gave Hankins four contracts during a partnership that lasted nearly five seasons; none of the deals topped $4.5MM per year. (Hankins played for $2.1MM on his first Seahawks contract.) The team traded Hankins to the Cowboys during the 2022 campaign, and he helped Dallas against the run during a 12-5 season. The Cowboys then used him as a 14-game starter in 2023. He registered three sacks that year, but as the Cowboys transitioned to Mike Zimmer‘s defensive scheme in 2024, Hankins rejoined Durde out west.

Last season, Hankins tallied five tackles for loss — his most since 2019 — and batted down a pass. He added an interception against the 49ers in Week 11. Not many players remain active from the 2013 draft, but a handful of second-round picks that year have signed one-year deals this offseason. Zach Ertz, Darius Slay and Robert Woods caught on, while Geno Smith — as QB careers can obviously last longer — scored a two-year Raiders extension earlier this month.

Chargers Place UFA Tender On J.K. Dobbins

April 29th, 2025 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers’ offseason blueprint included two significant running back investments. The team added Najee Harris on Day 1 of free agency and then used its first-round pick on Omarion Hampton. This represents a more committed effort compared to last year, when two ex-Ravens RBs reunited with OC Greg Roman.

J.K. Dobbins rebounded from an injury-marred Baltimore stay to become the Bolts’ primary starter last season, but he has not signed anywhere as a free agent. With Monday being the deadline for signings affecting the 2026 compensatory formula, the Chargers made a move that could net them a compensatory pick if Dobbins were to depart.

The Bolts joined the Browns in using a UFA tender, with Cards Wire’s Howard Balzer noting the AFC West team used one on Dobbins. If Dobbins is unsigned by July 22, the Chargers would retain exclusive negotiating rights on him. The Ohio State alum would be attached to a $1.1MM tender (110% of his 2024 salary). This comes as the Browns placed a UFA tender on wide receiver Elijah Moore.

Having suffered ACL and Achilles tears during his time in Baltimore, Dobbins reemerged last season by rushing for 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for a newly run-oriented Chargers team. An ankle injury sidelined Dobbins, but his IR stint only covered four games. He returned to help the team to the playoffs, but the Bolts cut Gus Edwards and have not re-signed Dobbins. They added Harris on a one-year deal (worth $5.25MM), with Hampton’s fully guaranteed first-round contract positioning him to be the club’s long-term starter.

This setup would leave little room for Dobbins, but the Chargers will be tied to him for a bit longer. If Dobbins signs elsewhere before July 22, he could factor into the Bolts’ compensatory formula for the 2026 draft. The team hired ex-Ravens exec Joe Hortiz as GM last year; no club prioritizes comp picks more than Baltimore. That undoubtedly factors into this tender decision. A team signing Dobbins, however, will likely do so at a low rate due to the former second-rounder’s 46 missed games over the past four seasons.

UFA tenders have led to separations in the recent past. The Chiefs and Ravens placed them on Melvin Ingram and Justin Houston, respectively, in 2022 and saw each sign elsewhere before the July 22 deadline. The Patriots slapped one on LeGarrette Blount in 2017 and saw him join the Eagles soon after. The Giants, however, used the tender on Markus Golden in 2020 and reunited with him — after he signed it that July. (The Giants traded Golden to the Cardinals that October.) There would seem to be no place for Dobbins on Los Angeles’ 2025 roster, but he remains loosely tied to the team during free agency.

49ers To Sign T D.J. Humphries

April 29th, 2025 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a brief stint in Kansas City, D.J. Humphries will return to the NFC West. The longtime Cardinals left tackle is signing with the 49ers, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Humphries upped his career start total to 100 through two Chiefs starts, but he ended up giving way to Joe Thuney. The Chiefs kicked their All-Pro left guard outside in an effort to stabilize the position. That plan largely worked out, only for it to be exposed in Super Bowl LIX. The Chiefs have since given ex-49ers swing tackle Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30MM deal; the 49ers will add Humphries from Kansas City as a possible swingman.

The 49ers will hope for a better version of Humphries, as he is now more than a year removed from the December 2023 ACL tear that ended his Cardinals stay. Humphries has battled a host of injuries during his career. In his first Chiefs start, the former first-rounder — given the starting job soon after signing — went down with a hamstring issue. He never reacquired the team’s LT job, only coming in for a Week 18 start that featured the AFC’s top seed resting most of its first-stringers.

Now 31, Humphries profiles as a swing tackle behind starters Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz. The 49ers needed Moore to close out last season, as Williams went down with an ankle injury. Considering Williams is heading into an age-37 season, acquiring a proven backup makes sense for San Francisco. Humphries has only played left tackle since 2017; he and then-Cardinals LT starter flipped sides after the 2016 season. The team had eyed converted guard Spencer Burford as a potential swing option; the fourth-year player will at least have competition for that role now.

The 49ers have not drafted a tackle since taking Moore in the 2021 fifth round. Moore moved up in the pecking order after Mike McGlinchey‘s 2023 Broncos commitment made McKivitz the new right tackle. With Moore now gone — at a price that surprised John Lynch — the 49ers needed a replacement. They have plenty of Humphries intel to go on, with the Lynch-Kyle Shanahan regime having seen the blocker in NFC West matchups from 2017-23.

Humphries’ stay as Arizona’s LT earned him two lucrative deals with the team — in 2020 and ’22. The team cut bait on the three-year, $51MM extension early in Monti Ossenfort‘s GM tenure, having designated him a post-June 1 cut last year. Pro Football Focus graded Humprhies 51st among 81 tackle regulars during a 15-start 2023. While Humphries has dealt with injuries in each of the past three seasons, he missed just one game from 2019-21. The 49ers will hope the 10-year veteran being another year removed from his most serious injury will help him back on track.

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